Communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. The method is executed by a first node. The method comprises: receiving a first message sent by a second node, the first message being used for requesting to establish a user plane connection, and the first message comprising first indication information and a first identifier; and on the basis of the first message, verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the first node learns from the first indication information that the first message is related to a PRU, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, so as to prevent the first node from transparently forwarding the message content of the first message to a third node corresponding to the first identifier, thereby improving the security of communication between the PRU and a network function.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, and program products. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, a user plane connection is typically established between a terminal and a network function to conduct related services. For example, a terminal can establish a user plane connection with a location management function (LMF) to perform user plane positioning. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a first node, the method comprising: receiving a first message sent by a second node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; and verifying, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a fourth node, the method comprising: receiving a second message sent by a first node, the second message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node; the second message including: a second identifier and first indication information; the second identifier being used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the first indication information being used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU; and determining, based on the second message, whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a second node, the method comprising: sending a first message to a first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a PRU; the first identifier is used to indicate a third node associated with the second node for PRU; the first message is further used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, the method comprising: a second node sending a first message to a first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; and the first node verifying, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device is used to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a first node, a second node and a fourth node, the first node is configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect, the fourth node is configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the second node is configured to implement the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0012] In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of this disclosure, when the first node learns that the first message is related to the PRU based on the first indication information, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, so as to avoid the first node transparently forwarding the message content of the first message to the third node corresponding to the first identifier, thereby improving the communication security between the PRU and the network function.

[0013] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a PRU association process according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between related identifiers and routing identifiers according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of NAS message transmission in a user plane connection establishment process requested by a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0029] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, wherein the method is executed by a first node, the method comprising: receiving a first message sent by a second node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; and verifying, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0030] In the above embodiments, when the first node receives a first message sent by the second node, and the first message includes first indication information and a first identifier, the first node can know that the first message is related to the PRU based on the first indication information. In response to the first message related to the PRU, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. Thus, when the first node knows that the first message is related to the PRU based on the first indication information, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, so as to avoid the first node transparently forwarding the message content of the first message to the third node corresponding to the first identifier, thereby improving the communication security between the PRU and the network function.

[0031] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0032] In the above embodiments, when the first node verifies that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and / or when the first node verifies that the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, so that the second node authorized to use the user plane connection can establish a user plane connection with the network function, thereby ensuring the communication security between the PRU and the network function.

[0033] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized to act as a PRU.

[0034] In the above embodiments, if the first node determines through verification that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and / or if the first node determines through verification that the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, thereby preventing the second node without authorized user plane connection from establishing a user plane connection with the network function, and ensuring the communication security between the PRU and the network function.

[0035] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, according to the first message, verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection includes at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0036] In the above embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection by performing at least one of the above two verifications on the second node, thereby determining whether the second node as a PRU can establish a user plane connection, so as to ensure the communication security of the PRU when communicating based on the user plane connection.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining a fourth node for the second node; authorizing the second node to use a user plane connection; sending a second message to the fourth node, the second message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node; the second message including first indication information and a second identifier, the first indication information being used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU; the second identifier being used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the second message being used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0038] In the above embodiments, when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, the first node can identify the fourth node and send a second message to the fourth node to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node. The first node uses the second message to send a first indication information and a second identifier to the fourth node, so as to inform the fourth node of the second message related to the PRU using the first indication information, triggering the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node. This enables the PRU and the fourth node to establish a user plane connection for communication, which on the one hand improves the communication security between the PRU and network functions, and on the other hand allows the PRU and the fourth node to communicate based on the user plane, thereby reducing the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, determining a fourth node for a second node includes one of the following: determining a third node corresponding to a first identifier as the fourth node, the first identifier being used to identify the third node between the second node and the first node; or determining a fifth node reselected for the second node as the fourth node, the fifth node being associated with the second node.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the first node can determine the third node corresponding to the first identifier as the fourth node, or the first node can reselect the fifth node for the second node and determine the fifth node as the fourth node. Thus, the embodiments of this disclosure provide two ways to determine the fourth node, which can select a more suitable fourth node according to different situations, so that the second node can establish a stable user plane connection with the fourth node.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0042] In the above embodiments, when the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, the first node can obtain the second identifier based on the mapping of the first identifier. Alternatively, when the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node, the first node can determine the second identifier based on the third identifier used to identify the fifth node. Thus, different methods are used to determine the second identifier for different situations of the fourth node, so that the determined second identifier can be used to identify the fourth node.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a third message sent by a fourth node, the third message including a second identifier, and the third message further including one of the following: first information for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; second information for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the first node can receive a third message sent by the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node based on the first or second information carried in the third message. This allows the second node to establish a user plane connection with the fourth node if the second node is allowed to do so. On the one hand, this enables the authorized PRU to establish a user plane connection with the network function, and on the other hand, it enables the PRU and the fourth node to communicate based on the user plane, thereby reducing the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a fourth message to the second node according to the third message, the fourth message including the first information or the second information.

[0046] In the above embodiments, the first node can send a fourth message to the second node based on the received information from the third node. This fourth message carries either first or second information to inform the second node whether it is permitted to establish a user plane connection. Furthermore, if the second node is permitted to establish a user plane connection, it can trigger the second node to establish a user plane connection with the fourth node. This improves the communication security between the PRU and network functions and allows the PRU and the fourth node to communicate based on the user plane, thus reducing communication pressure on the control plane.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the mapping of the second identifier, and is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the first node can obtain the fourth identifier based on the received second identifier mapping, and send the fourth identifier to the second node using the fourth message, so that the second node can determine the fourth node according to the fourth identifier, so that the second node can establish a user plane connection with the fourth node, thereby enabling the second node and the fourth node to communicate based on the user plane, so as to alleviate the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a fifth message sent by a second node, the fifth message including a fourth identifier and third information, the third information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection; and sending a sixth message to a fourth node, the sixth message including the third information.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the first node can receive the fifth message sent by the second node, and send the sixth message to the fourth node according to the fifth message, thereby transparently forwarding the third information in the fifth message to the fourth node, so that the fourth node can know that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection according to the third information, thereby enabling the second node and the fourth node to communicate based on the user plane, so as to alleviate the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0051] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, wherein the method is executed by a fourth node, the method comprising: receiving a second message sent by a first node, the second message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node; the second message including: a second identifier and first indication information; the second identifier being used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the first indication information being used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU; and determining, based on the second message, whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0052] In the above embodiments, when the fourth node receives the second message sent by the first node, and the second message includes a second identifier and a first indication information, the fourth node can know that the second message is related to the PRU based on the first indication information. In response to the second message related to the PRU, the fourth node can determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node, so that when the second node is allowed to establish a user plane connection, the second node and the fourth node can communicate based on the user plane to alleviate the communication pressure on the control plane.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a third message to the first node, the third message including a second identifier, the third message further including one of the following: first information for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; second information for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0054] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second message is sent by the first node after receiving the first message sent by the second node and determining that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection; the first message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to the positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, which is associated with the second node; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first message is also used to trigger the first node to perform at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized to act as a PRU.

[0058] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node, and the fifth node is associated with the second node.

[0059] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a sixth message sent by the first node, the sixth message including a second identifier and third information, the third information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection.

[0061] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, which is executed by a second node. The method includes: sending a first message to a first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a PRU; the first identifier is used to indicate a third node that is associated with the second node for PRU; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the second node can send a first message to the first node to request the establishment of a user plane connection. The first message may include first indication information and a first identifier. The first indication information is used to inform the first node that the first message is related to the PRU, so as to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. This avoids the first node from transparently forwarding the message content of the first message to the third node corresponding to the first identifier, thereby improving the communication security between the PRU and network functions.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized to act as a PRU.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the first message is also used to trigger the first node to perform at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving a fourth message sent by the first node, the fourth message including one of the following: a first message for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; a second message for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth message is sent by the first node based on the third message. The third message is sent by the fourth node after receiving the second message sent by the first node. The second message includes a request to establish a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node. The second message includes: a second identifier and first indication information. The second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU. The second message is also used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the mapping of the second identifier, and the fourth identifier is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0069] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node for the second node, and the fifth node is associated with the second node.

[0070] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending a fifth message to the first node, the fifth message including a fourth identifier and third information, the second information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection; the fifth message is also used to trigger the first node to send a sixth message to the fourth node corresponding to the fourth identifier, the sixth message including the third information and the second identifier.

[0072] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, the method comprising: a second node sending a first message to a first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message including: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; and the first node verifying, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0073] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device is used to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a first node, a second node, and a fourth node, the first node being configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect, the fourth node being configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the second node being configured to implement the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0076] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method provided in the first, second, or third aspect.

[0077] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method described in an optional implementation of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0078] It is understood that the aforementioned communication equipment, communication system, storage medium, program product, etc., are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] This disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, information indication method, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0080] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0081] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0082] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0083] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0085] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0086] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0087] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0088] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0089] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0090] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0092] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0093] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0094] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0096] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0097] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0098] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0099] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0100] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0101] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0102] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in Wi-Fi system.

[0104] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0105] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0106] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network functions, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of one or more network functions. Network functions may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the following: evolved packet core (EPC), 5G core network (5GCN), 6G core network (6GCN), and next-generation core (NGC).

[0107] In some embodiments, the first node may be a core network device, or the first node may be a network function of the core network device.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first node may be responsible for user authentication, authorization, registration, mobility management, and connection management.

[0109] In some embodiments, the name of the first node is not specifically limited; for example, it may be the access management function (AMF).

[0110] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be a core network device, or the fourth node may be a network function of the core network device.

[0111] In some embodiments, the fourth node and the first node can be different network functions of the core network device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the fourth node may establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0113] In some embodiments, the fourth node can be used to be responsible for calculating and feeding back location information, providing location process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation, etc.

[0114] In some embodiments, the fourth node can be used to provide sensing services.

[0115] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth node is not specifically limited; for example, it can be LMF or sensing function (SF).

[0116] In some embodiments, the third node may be a core network device, or the third node may be a network function of the core network device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the third node is associated with the second node. In some embodiments, the second node can associate itself with the third node through a PRU association operation.

[0118] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be the third node. In some embodiments, the first node may determine the third node as the fourth node.

[0119] In some embodiments, the fifth node may be a core network device, or the fifth node may be a network function of the core network device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the fifth node is a node that the first node reselects for the second node, and the fifth node is different from the third node.

[0121] In some embodiments, the fourth node can be the fifth node. In some embodiments, the first node can determine the fifth node as the fourth node.

[0122] In some embodiments, the second node may be a PRU. In one embodiment, the second node may be a terminal that supports acting as a PRU. In another embodiment, the second node may be an access network device that supports acting as a PRU.

[0123] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0125] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), Super 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th Generation Mobile Communication System (4G), 5G, 5G New Radio (NR), 6G, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and public terrestrial mobile communication networks. Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0126] In some embodiments, the terminal can act as a PRU. When the terminal has PRU functionality, it can act as a PRU. In some embodiments, the functions supported by the PRU may include at least one of the following: supporting PRU association establishment, PRU association update, and PRU association disassociation with a serving LMF; supporting PRU association with multiple LMFs, for example, in the case where the PRU is located in a service area where multiple LMFs overlap, the PRU supports PRU association with multiple LMFs.

[0127] In some embodiments, the PRU information involved in at least one of the PRU association establishment function and PRU association update function described above may include at least one of PRU positioning capability, PRU location information, and PRU on / off state. The PRU on / off state is used to indicate the availability of PRU functionality on the serving LMF.

[0128] In some embodiments, a terminal that accesses a mobile network (e.g., a 5G network) via NR satellite may not act as a PRU.

[0129] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1B, FIG1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a PRU association procedure according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps indicated by the dashed boxes or dashed lines in FIG1B are optional steps in the PRU association procedure. This PRU association procedure is used for the PRU to initially associate with the serving LMF, and the initial association typically occurs when the PRU first accesses the home public land mobile network (HPLMN).

[0130] In one embodiment, the PRU association process described above can also be used to perform PRU association updates to notify the service LMF of the PRU's continued availability, or to notify the service LMF of certain changes to the PRU, such as changes in location (e.g., changes in tracking area or service AMF) or changes in PRU positioning capabilities. The PRU should only execute the association process in the HPLMN.

[0131] In one embodiment, the prerequisite for executing the PRU association process is that the PRU has already registered in the HPLMN. For the initial association of the PRU, a routing identifier indicating the service LMF may have already been configured in the PRU. For subsequent associations of the PRU, the routing identifier indicating the service LMF has been returned to the PRU in step 6a or step 6b of the previous PRU association process.

[0132] In some embodiments, the PRU association process may include the following steps:

[0133] Step 1. If the PRU is in the connection management-idle (CM-IDLE) state, the PRU will execute a UE-triggered service request.

[0134] Step 2. The PRU sends a supplementary service PRU association request to the serving AMF using an uplink (UL) non-access stratum (NAS) transport message. This UL NAS transport message also includes a pre-configured route identifier for the initial association, or a route identifier used in a previous PRU association process.

[0135] In one embodiment, a PRU association request may include the reason for PRU association (e.g., initial PRU association or PRU association update), PRU location capability, location information (if known), or PRU on / off status.

[0136] Step 3. The AMF uses the contract information from the UDM to verify whether the sender of the PRU association request is a PRU.

[0137] In one embodiment, the AMF verifies whether a PRU can function as a fixed PRU based on the contract information or local policy.

[0138] Step 4. The AMF selects the serving LMF according to the protocol or the routing identifier contained in the UL NAS transport message in Step 2.

[0139] In one embodiment, the AMF can replace the route identifier according to the protocol agreement.

[0140] In some embodiments, the AMF uses the N1 interface notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message to send a PRU association request to the service LMF. The N1 interface notification message may include: an indication of whether the PRU association request corresponds to a PRU and an indication of whether the PRU is inactive.

[0141] In some embodiments, the N1 interface notification message may further include: the PRU's subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), tracking area identity (TAI), and cell identifier (ID).

[0142] Step 5a. If the AMF indicates in step 4 that the PRU association request corresponds to a PRU, and if the service LMF can accept the PRU association, then the service LMF can use the N1N2 Message Transfer message to return the PRU association accept information to the AMF as a supplementary service message, and return the correlation identifier.

[0143] In one embodiment, the associated identifier is assigned by the service LMF and is used to identify the service LMF. In some embodiments, the associated identifier can also be used to identify the PRU.

[0144] In one embodiment, PRU association acceptance information may indicate the conditions for performing PRU association updates with the service LMF. This PRU association acceptance information may include a periodic PRU association update timer and PRU association updates based on changes in PRU location, PRU TAI, the service AMF, or the PRU on / off state. For PRUs in an off state, the PRU information is stored in the service LMF.

[0145] Step 5b. If the service LMF does not accept PRU association, the service LMF can send an N1N2 message to the AMF to return a PRU association reject message as a supplementary service message, and return the relevant identifier.

[0146] It is worth noting that periodic PRU associations are independent of periodic NAS registrations, and periodic PRU associations can occur at a greater, the same, or a lesser frequency.

[0147] Step 6a. The serving AMF can use downlink (DL) NAS transmission messages to forward the PRU association accept response and route identifier to the PRU. The PRU stores the route identifier, which is used for further PRU association updates with the serving LMF. If the PRU stores a route identifier used in a previous PRU association update, the previous route identifier will be overwritten by the currently received route identifier.

[0148] Step 6b. The service AMF can use DL NAS to forward the PRU associated rejection information and routing identifier to the PRU.

[0149] Step 7. If the PRU association is successfully executed as in steps 5a and 6a, the service LMF can verify the PRU location provided in step 4, or obtain a more accurate PRU location based on the location process.

[0150] Step 8. If the PRU association is successfully executed as in steps 5a and 6a, and the PRU association is the initial PRU association, or if the PRU information has changed and the above PRU association is a PRU association update, then the service LMF can use an NF update request to send a PRU presence indication to the network repository function (NRF).

[0151] Step 9. If the NRF receives an NF update request, the NRF returns an NF update confirmation to the service LMF.

[0152] Step 10. If the PRU association is rejected as in step 6b, the PRU can perform the PRU association process with the new service LMF if a new available route identifier is available.

[0153] In some embodiments, the related identifier (or LCS related identifier) ​​and the routing identifier are different terms for the same identifier. The related identifier is used in service operations between the AMF and LMF, while the routing identifier is used in NAS messages sent between the PRU and AMF via the N1 interface. Figure 1C illustrates the relationship between the related identifier and the routing identifier according to an exemplary embodiment. The related identifier is used between the AMF and LMF, and the routing identifier is used between the terminal or the PRU and the AMF.

[0154] In one embodiment, the values ​​of the relevant identifier and the routing identifier can be the same, or there can be a certain mapping relationship between their values. The AMF can obtain the relevant identifier based on the routing identifier, and similarly, the AMF can obtain the routing identifier based on the relevant identifier.

[0155] In some embodiments, the related identifier or routing identifier may be used to identify the LMF. In some embodiments, the related identifier or routing identifier may also be used to identify the LCS session.

[0156] In one embodiment, the AMF can pass a message received from the terminal or PRU to the LMF identified by the relevant identifier or routing identifier, based on the relevant identifier or routing identifier. For example, the relevant identifier could be the LMF ID.

[0157] In some embodiments, the LMF may use an associated identifier or a routing identifier to identify a positioning session, such as an event reporting session or a positioning session of an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) message.

[0158] In one embodiment, the relevant identifier can also be used to identify the PRU.

[0159] In some embodiments, the relevant identifier or routing identifier can be assigned by the AMF and LMF, and the AMF can send the assigned relevant identifier to the LMF along with the location request. The only case in which the LMF assigns the relevant identifier or routing identifier is in a periodically triggered, terminal-terminated mobile terminal location request (MT / LR) session to assign a deferred routing identifier.

[0160] As can be seen, a UE that supports PRU functionality can act as a PRU. Furthermore, the PRU obtains relevant identifiers or routing identifiers during its association process with the LMF.

[0161] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1D, FIG1D is a schematic diagram illustrating the NAS message transmission in a user plane connection establishment procedure requested by a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps indicated by the dashed boxes in FIG1D are optional steps in the user plane connection establishment procedure. The UE-requested user plane connection establishment procedure is used by the terminal to request the establishment of an LCS secure user plane connection between the terminal and the LMF. The terminal requests the establishment of an LCS secure user plane connection by sending a user plane connection establishment request message to the network. The user plane connection establishment request message is encapsulated in a UPP-CMI container of the UL NAS transmission message. If the LMF accepts, the LMF will initiate a network-initiated user plane connection establishment procedure.

[0162] In some embodiments, the user plane connection establishment process requested by the terminal may include the following steps:

[0163] Step 1. In preparation for the upcoming location request, the terminal decides to request the establishment of a user plane connection. The terminal sets the payload container type to "UPP-CMI container" and carries the user plane connection establishment request information in the payload container in the UL NAS transmission message.

[0164] Step 2. The UE sends an uplink NAS transmission message to the AMF.

[0165] Step 3. The AMF verifies whether the terminal is authorized to use the Location Service User Plane Protocol (LCS-UPP). The AMF determines the LMF according to the protocol, and the AMF sends a User Plane Location Configuration Request Service (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request service) message to the LMF to request the establishment of a user plane connection for LCS-UPP. The AMF can also assign relevant identifiers and include these identifiers in the User Plane Location Configuration Request Service message.

[0166] Step 4. The LMF initiates the user plane connection establishment process initiated by the network.

[0167] As can be seen, through steps 1 to 4 above, the terminal can establish a user plane connection with a specific LMF. When the terminal requests to establish a user plane connection with the LMF, it sends a user plane connection establishment request message without carrying any routing identifier or related identifier. The AMF verifies whether the terminal is authorized to use user plane positioning based on the terminal's subscription information. The AMF selects an LMF capable of establishing a user plane session for positioning with the terminal. Furthermore, after verification, the AMF also assigns a routing identifier or related identifier.

[0168] In some embodiments, when the AMF receives a UL NAS transmission message, if the load container type information element (IE) in the UL NAS transmission message is set to "UPP-CMI container" and the UL NAS transmission message does not contain additional information IE, then the AMF should provide the location service application with the load container type and the information content carried in the load container IE.

[0169] In some embodiments, when the AMF receives a UL NAS transport message, if the load container type information element (IE) in the UL NAS transport message is set to "UPP-CMI container" and the UL NAS transport message contains additional information IE, then the AMF should send the load container type and the information content carried in the load container IE to the LMF corresponding to the routing identifier contained in the additional information IE.

[0170] As can be seen, when the AMF receives a UL NAS transmission message from the terminal, if the UL NAS transmission message does not include a routing identifier or related identifier, the AMF will provide the information content carried in the payload container of the UL NAS transmission message to the upper layer and perform corresponding processing, such as terminal verification. If the UL NAS transmission message includes a routing identifier or related identifier, the AMF will transparently forward the information content carried in the payload container to the LMF indicated by the routing identifier or related identifier.

[0171] For PRUs, during the PRU association process, the AMF provides the PRU with a routing identifier or related identifier. If the PRU initiates a user plane connection establishment process, the routing identifier or related identifier will be transmitted along with the user plane connection establishment request. In this case, the AMF will directly forward the information carried in the payload container to the LMF without verifying whether the PRU is authorized to use user plane positioning. As a result, the PRU cannot establish a user plane connection with the LMF, thus affecting the communication security of the communication between the PRU and the LMF based on this user plane connection.

[0172] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product to verify the PRU through the AMF when the PRU attempts to establish a user plane connection with the LMF, thereby ensuring that the PRU and the LMF can establish a user plane connection and improving the communication security of the PRU and the LMF communicating based on the user plane connection.

[0173] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, this disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100. The method includes steps S2101 to S2111.

[0174] In step S2101, the second node sends a first message to the first node.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second node may also send a first message to other entities, and the other entities may send the first message to the first node. In one embodiment, the second node may send a first message to a relay node (e.g., an access network device), and the relay node may send the first message to the first node. This disclosure does not specifically limit this aspect.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first node may receive a first message sent by the second node, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first node may receive a first message sent by a relay node.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second node may be a PRU. In some embodiments, the second node may be a terminal that supports acting as a PRU. Alternatively, the second node may be an access network device that supports acting as a PRU.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first node can be used for access and mobility management. In one example, the first node can be an AMF (Access and Mobility Function).

[0179] In some embodiments, the first message may be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0180] In some embodiments, the user plane connection can be used to transmit messages related to location services. In one embodiment, a second node can use a first message to request the establishment of a user plane connection, thereby enabling the second node to send or receive messages related to location services based on the user plane connection.

[0181] In some embodiments, messages related to location services may include, but are not limited to: LPP messages, location service supplementary service messages, and location service messages.

[0182] In some embodiments, the user plane connection can also be used to transmit messages related to sensing services. In one embodiment, the second node can use the first message to request the establishment of a user plane connection, thereby enabling the second node to send or receive messages related to sensing services based on the user plane connection.

[0183] In some embodiments, messages related to sensing services may include, but are not limited to: sensing request messages and sensing capability reporting messages.

[0184] In some embodiments, the user plane connection can also be used to transmit messages related to artificial intelligence (AI). In one embodiment, the second node can use the first message to request the establishment of a user plane connection, thereby enabling the second node to send or receive AI-related messages based on the user plane connection.

[0185] In some embodiments, AI-related messages may include, but are not limited to: messages related to AI model training; and messages related to AI model application.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first message may include at least one of fourth information, a first identifier, and a first instruction message.

[0187] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0188] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth information is not limited; for example, it may be user plane connection establishment request information.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first identifier may be used to indicate a third node.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be used to uniquely identify the third node. In one embodiment, the first identifier can be the identifier of the third node. In another embodiment, the first identifier can be the IP address of the third node.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first identifier can be used to identify a third node between the second node and the first node. In one embodiment, the first identifier can be a routing identifier corresponding to the third node.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first identifier may be obtained by the second node during a previous PRU association process. In some embodiments, the first identifier may be generated by the third node during the PRU association process with the second node, and the first identifier may be used to identify the third node and the second node associated with the third node. In one embodiment, the first identifier may be a routing identifier corresponding to the third node, in which case the routing identifier corresponding to the third node is the device identifier corresponding to the third node.

[0193] In some embodiments, the third node is associated with the second node. In some embodiments, the second node can associate itself with the third node by performing a PRU association operation.

[0194] In some embodiments, a third node can be used to provide location management services. In one example, the third node can be an LMF (Location Management Function).

[0195] In some embodiments, a third node can be used to provide sensing services. In one example, the third node could be an SF (Sensitive Message).

[0196] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the first message is associated with a PRU. In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the sender of the first message is a PRU.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first indication information can also be used to indicate that the second node is acting as a PRU. In some embodiments, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the second node is sending the first message as a PRU.

[0198] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited; for example, it may be a PRU indication.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first message may include fourth information, which may be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection. In this case, the first message may be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0200] In some embodiments, where the first message includes only the fourth information, the first message can also be used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In some embodiments, where the first node receives the first message and the first message includes only the fourth information, the second node can use the fourth information to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first message may further include a first identifier, which may be used to indicate a third node. In this case, the first message may also be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the third node corresponding to the first identifier.

[0202] In some embodiments, where the first message includes fourth information and a first identifier, the first message is further used to trigger the first node to forward the fourth information to the third node corresponding to the first identifier. In some embodiments, where the first node receives the first message, and the first message includes fourth information and a first identifier, the second node can use the first identifier to inform the first node of the recipient of the fourth information (i.e., the third node), so that the first node can send the fourth information to the third node corresponding to the first identifier. In this case, the first node directly and transparently forwards the fourth information to the third node.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first message may further include first indication information, which indicates that the first message is related to the PRU. In this case, the first message may also be used to indicate that the PRU requests to establish a user plane connection.

[0204] In some embodiments, where the first message further includes first indication information, the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In some embodiments, where the first node receives the first message, and the first message includes fourth information, a first identifier, and first indication information, the second node can use the first indication information to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, and if the verification is successful, the first node can forward the fourth information to the third node corresponding to the first identifier.

[0205] In some embodiments, if the second node is not a PRU, the first message may include fourth information but excluding the first identifier and first indication information. In some embodiments, if the second node is not a PRU and the second node has user plane communication needs, the second node may send a first message to the first node that includes only the fourth information to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the second node is a PRU, the first message may include fourth information, first indication information, and a first identifier. In some embodiments, when the second node is a PRU and the second node has user plane communication requirements, the second node may send a first message to the first node, sending the fourth information, the first indication information, and the first identifier together to the first node, so as to inform the first node that it is a PRU using the first indication information, and to inform the first node of its associated third node using the first identifier, thereby requesting the establishment of a user plane connection between the PRU and the associated third node.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first message may be a NAS message that includes fourth information. In some embodiments, the NAS message may be any uplink NAS message, for example, an uplink NAS transport (UL NAS transport) message.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first message may include a message container, in which the fourth information is carried. In some embodiments, when the first message is an uplink NAS transmission message, the fourth information may be carried in the UPP-CMI container of the uplink NAS transmission message.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first message may further include a first IE and / or a second IE, wherein the first IE may carry a first identifier and the second IE may carry first instruction information.

[0210] In some embodiments, the name of the first IE is not limited; for example, it could be the Additional Information IE.

[0211] In some embodiments, the name of the second IE is not limited; for example, it may be a payload container information IE.

[0212] In step S2102, the first node verifies whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection based on the first message.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first node may determine whether to authenticate the second node based on the message content of the first message. This authentication is used to determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0214] In some embodiments, if the first message includes only the fourth information, the first node may verify the second node. In some embodiments, if the first message includes the fourth information but does not include the first identifier, the first node may verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0215] In some embodiments, where the first message further includes a first identifier and a first indication, the first node may verify the second node.

[0216] In some embodiments, when the first message includes fourth information, a first identifier, and a first indication information, the first node can verify the second node based on the first indication information and the first identifier contained in the first message to determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0217] In some embodiments, where the first message includes fourth information, a first identifier, and a first indication, the first node may verify the second node upon being triggered by the first indication to determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0218] In some embodiments, when the first message includes a first identifier but not the first indication information, the first node does not verify the second node. In some embodiments, when the first message includes fourth information and the first identifier but not the first indication information, the first node does not verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for location, but instead directly and transparently forwards the fourth information to the third node corresponding to the first identifier. In this case, step S2102 can be omitted.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first node verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection may include at least one of the following: the first node verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the first node verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection by whether the second node is authorized to perform location-related services using the user plane connection.

[0221] In some embodiments, location-related services may include, but are not limited to: location services; sensing services; and AI services.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services based on the second node's subscription information.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first node may store the second node's subscription information locally. Alternatively, the first node may obtain the second node's subscription information from unified data management (UDM).

[0224] In some embodiments, the subscription information of the second node may include user plane authorization information. In some embodiments, the user plane authorization information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to transmit location-related data; the second node is prohibited from using the user plane connection to transmit location-related data. In one embodiment, the second node being authorized to use the user plane connection to transmit location-related data may be replaced by the second node being allowed to use the user plane connection to transmit location-related data. In one embodiment, the second node being authorized to use the user plane connection to transmit location-related data may be replaced by the second node accepting the use of the user plane connection to transmit location-related data. In one embodiment, the second node being prohibited from using the user plane connection to transmit location-related data may be replaced by the second node being refused the use of the user plane connection to transmit location-related data. In one embodiment, the second node being prohibited from using the user plane connection to transmit location-related data may be replaced by the second node not being authorized to use the user plane connection to transmit location-related data. In one embodiment, the second node being prohibited from using the user plane connection to transmit location-related data may be replaced by the second node not accepting the use of the user plane connection to transmit location-related data.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services based on the user plane authorization information of the second node. In one embodiment, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In one embodiment, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node can determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection based on whether the second node is authorized to act as a PRU. In one embodiment, when the first node receives a first message, and the first message includes first indication information, the first node learns from the first indication information that the second node is sending the first message as a PRU, that is, the second node has the functions supported by the PRU. In this case, the first node can determine whether the second node is allowed to act as a PRU, that is, whether the second node is allowed to use the functions supported by the PRU, by verifying whether the second node is authorized to act as a PRU.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first node may determine whether the second node is authorized as a PRU based on the second node's contract information.

[0228] In one embodiment, the first node can determine whether the second node is allowed to use the functions supported by the PRU based on the second node's subscription information, thereby determining whether the second node is authorized as a PRU. In one embodiment, if the second node possesses the functions supported by the PRU, but is not allowed to use those functions, the first node can determine that the second node is not authorized as a PRU. In another embodiment, if the second node possesses the functions supported by the PRU, but is allowed to use those functions, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0229] In some embodiments, the subscription information of the second node may further include PRU-related information; in some embodiments, the PRU-related information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the second node is allowed to use the functions supported by the PRU; the second node is prohibited from using the functions supported by the PRU.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized as a PRU based on PRU-related information, thereby determining whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In one embodiment, if PRU-related information indicates that the second node is allowed to use the functionality supported by the PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized as a PRU. In one embodiment, if PRU-related information indicates that the second node is prohibited from using the functionality supported by the PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is not authorized as a PRU.

[0231] In some embodiments, PRU-related information may further include at least one of a first region identifier and a second region identifier.

[0232] In some embodiments, where the PRU-related information includes a first region identifier, the PRU-related information can also be used to indicate that the second node is permitted to use the functions supported by the PRU within the first region indicated by the first region identifier.

[0233] In some embodiments, a first area identifier is used to identify a first area. In some embodiments, for example, the first area identifier may be a tracking area code (TAC), a tracking area identity (TAI), or a cell identity (CID), etc.

[0234] In some embodiments, if PRU-related information indicates that the second node is permitted to use the functions supported by the PRU within the first area indicated by the first area identifier, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized as a PRU based on the location of the second node. In one embodiment, if PRU-related information indicates that the second node is permitted to use the functions supported by the PRU within the first area indicated by the first area identifier, and the second node is located within the first area, the first node determines that the second node is authorized as a PRU. In one embodiment, if PRU-related information indicates that the second node is permitted to use the functions supported by the PRU within the first area indicated by the first area identifier, and the second node is located outside the first area, the first node determines that the second node is not authorized as a PRU.

[0235] In some embodiments, where the PRU-related information includes a second region identifier, the PRU-related information can also be used to indicate that the second node is prohibited from using the functions supported by the PRU in the second region indicated by the second region identifier.

[0236] In some embodiments, a second region identifier is used to identify a second region. In some embodiments, for example, the second region identifier may be TAC, TAI, and CID, etc.

[0237] In some embodiments, if PRU-related information indicates that a second node is prohibited from using the functions supported by the PRU within the second area indicated by the second area identifier, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized as a PRU based on the location of the second node. In one embodiment, if a second node is prohibited from using the functions supported by the PRU within the second area indicated by the second area identifier, and the second node is located within the second area, the first node determines that the second node is not authorized as a PRU. In one embodiment, if a second node is prohibited from using the functions supported by the PRU within the second area indicated by the second area identifier, and the second node is located outside the second area, the first node determines that the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first node can determine whether the second node is authorized as a PRU based on a local policy. In some embodiments, the first node may be pre-configured with a local policy, which may be used to indicate at least one of the following: allowing the second node to use the functions supported by the PRU; or prohibiting the second node from using the functions supported by the PRU.

[0239] In some embodiments, if a local policy indicates that the second node is permitted to use the functionality supported by the PRU, the first node determines that the second node is authorized as a PRU, thereby determining that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. In some embodiments, if a local policy indicates that the second node is permitted to use the functionality supported by the PRU, the first node determines that the second node is not authorized as a PRU, thereby determining that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0240] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0241] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and whether the second node is authorized as a PRU. In some embodiments, the first node can jointly determine whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection by verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0243] In some embodiments, when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0244] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0245] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0246] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0247] In step S2103, the first node determines the fourth node.

[0248] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be a node capable of establishing a user plane connection with the second node. In one example, the fourth node may be an LMF or an SF.

[0249] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, the first node may determine the fourth node.

[0250] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, the first node may not know the fourth node. In this case, steps S2103 to S2111 can be omitted.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first node may identify the third node corresponding to the first identifier as the fourth node. In some embodiments, when the first node receives the first identifier, the first node may identify the third node corresponding to the first identifier as the fourth node and send a second message to the fourth node.

[0252] In some embodiments, when the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, the second identifier may be obtained based on the mapping of the first identifier. In some embodiments, when the first node determines the third node corresponding to the first identifier as the fourth node, the first node may obtain the second identifier based on the mapping of the first identifier and send a second message including the second identifier to the fourth node.

[0253] In some embodiments, the value of the second identifier may be the same as the value of the first identifier. In some embodiments, there is a mapping relationship between the value of the second identifier and the value of the first identifier.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first node may determine the fifth node, which was reselected for the second node, as the fourth node. In some embodiments, when the first node receives a first identifier, the first node may not designate the third node corresponding to the first identifier as the fourth node, but instead reselect a fifth node for the second node and determine the reselected fifth node as the fourth node. In some embodiments, when the third node corresponding to the first identifier does not support establishing a user plane connection with the second node, the first node may determine the fifth node, which was reselected for the second node, as the fourth node.

[0255] In some embodiments, where the first identifier is used to indicate a third node for the second node to perform the initial PRU association, the first node may determine the fifth node reselected for the second node as the fourth node. In some embodiments, where the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node for the second node, the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier. In some embodiments, where the first node determines the fifth node reselected for the second node as the fourth node, the first node may use the third identifier as the second identifier and send a second message including the second identifier to the fourth node.

[0256] In some embodiments, the third identifier may be used to indicate the fifth node.

[0257] In some embodiments, the third identifier can be used to uniquely identify the fifth node. In one embodiment, the third identifier can be the identifier of the fifth node. In another embodiment, the third identifier can be the IP address of the fifth node.

[0258] In some embodiments, the third identifier can be used to identify the fifth node between the fourth node and the first node. In some embodiments, the third identifier can be an LCS-related identifier or a related identifier corresponding to the fifth node.

[0259] In some embodiments, the fifth node may be a node capable of establishing a user plane connection with the second node.

[0260] In some embodiments, the fifth node may be associated with the second node. In some embodiments, the second node associates the second node and the fifth node by performing a PRU association operation.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first node may reselect a fifth node for the second node based on its local configuration. In some embodiments, the first node may be pre-configured with node-related information of at least one candidate node, and may select a fifth node from at least one candidate node based on the node-related information of at least one candidate node, and determine the fifth node as the fourth node.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first node may query the NRF to identify the fifth node, thereby identifying the fifth node as the fourth node.

[0263] In step S2104, the first node sends a second message to the fourth node.

[0264] In some embodiments, the fourth node receives a second message sent by the first node.

[0265] In some embodiments, the second message may be used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection configuration request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request) message.

[0267] In some embodiments, the second message may include at least one of a fifth message, a second identifier, and a first indication message.

[0268] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to instruct the second node to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0269] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth piece of information is not limited. For example, it may be user plane connection establishment indication or location service user plane (LCS-UP) connection set up request indication.

[0270] In some embodiments, the second identifier can be used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node. In some embodiments, the second identifier can be an LCS correlation identifier or a correlation identifier.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second identifier can also be used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. In some embodiments, the second identifier can be an LCS correlation identifier or a correlation identifier.

[0272] In some embodiments, the second identifier is associated with both the second node and the fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node can determine the second node and the fourth node corresponding to the second identifier based on the second identifier.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first indication information can also be used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU. In some embodiments, the first indication information can also be used to indicate that the second message was triggered and sent by the PRU. In one embodiment, the description of the first indication information in step S2104 can be found in the description of the first indication information in step S2101, and will not be repeated here.

[0274] In some embodiments, the second message may include only a second identifier, which can be used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. In this case, the second message can also be used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node corresponding to the second identifier. In some embodiments, when the second message includes only the second identifier, the fourth node can learn about the second node requesting to establish a user plane connection based on the second identifier and determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0275] In some embodiments, the second message may further include fifth information, which is used to instruct the second node to request the establishment of a user plane connection. In this case, the second message may be used to instruct the second node to request the establishment of a user plane connection. In some embodiments, when the second message includes the fifth information and the second identifier, but does not include the first indication information, the first node may use the fifth information to inform the fourth node that the second identifier corresponds to the second node's request to establish a user plane connection.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second message further includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU. In this case, the second message can also be used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node. In some embodiments, when the second message includes fifth information, a second identifier, and the first indication information, the first node can use the first indication information to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node, so that if the second node is allowed to establish a user plane connection, the second node can establish a user plane connection with the fourth node.

[0277] In some embodiments, if the second node is not a PRU, the second message may include a second identifier but not the first indication information and the fifth information. In some embodiments, if the second node is not a PRU, the first node may send a second message to the fourth node that includes only the second identifier to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0278] In some embodiments, when the second node is a PRU, the second message may include a second identifier, a fifth message, and a first indication message. In some embodiments, when the second node is a PRU, the first node may send a second message to the second node, sending the fifth message, the first indication message, and the second identifier together to the fourth node, to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0279] In step S2105, the fourth node determines whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node based on the second message.

[0280] In some embodiments, the fourth node may determine whether to execute a decision process on the second node based on the message content of the second message. This decision process is used to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0281] In some embodiments, when the second message includes a second identifier, the fourth node may perform a decision procedure on the second node. In some embodiments, when the second message includes a second identifier but does not include fifth information and first indication information, the fourth node may perform a decision procedure on the second node corresponding to the second identifier to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0282] In some embodiments, if the second message further includes fifth information, the fourth node may not perform the decision process on the second node. In some embodiments, if the second message includes fifth information and a second identifier, but does not include first indication information, the fourth node cannot determine whether the second identifier corresponds to a PRU, and the fourth node may not perform the decision process on the second node.

[0283] In some embodiments, where the second message further includes first indication information, the fourth node can perform a decision process on the second node. In some embodiments, where the second message includes fifth information, a second identifier, and first indication information, the fourth node can determine that the second node corresponding to the second identifier is a PRU based on the first indication information, and perform a decision process triggered by the first indication information to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0284] In some embodiments, the fourth node may determine whether to allow or deny the establishment of a user plane connection with the second node based on a local policy. In some embodiments, the fourth node may be pre-configured with a local policy, which may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the time range during which a user plane connection is allowed to be established; and the location area during which a user plane connection is allowed to be established.

[0285] In one embodiment, the time range during which user plane connections are allowed to be established can be replaced by the time range during which user plane connections are authorized to be established. In one embodiment, the location region during which user plane connections are allowed to be established can be replaced by the location region during which user plane connections are authorized to be established.

[0286] In some embodiments, within the time frame permitted by the local policy for establishing a user plane connection, the fourth node determines to allow the second node to establish a user plane connection. Outside the time frame permitted by the local policy for establishing a user plane connection, the fourth node determines to deny the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0287] In some embodiments, if the second node is located within a location area where user plane connections are permitted according to a local policy, the fourth node determines to allow the second node to establish a user plane connection. If the second node is located outside a location area where user plane connections are permitted according to a local policy, the fourth node determines to deny the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0288] In step S2106, the fourth node sends a third message to the first node.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first node receives a third message sent by the fourth node.

[0290] In some embodiments, a third message may be used to indicate whether to allow or deny the establishment of a user plane connection by the second node.

[0291] In some embodiments, the third message may be an N1N2 message transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0292] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information. The first information can be used to trigger the second node to establish a user plane connection. In one embodiment, where the third message includes the first information, the third message is used to indicate permission for the second node to establish a user plane connection.

[0293] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited; for example, it may be user plane connection establishment command information.

[0294] In some embodiments, if the fourth node determines that it allows the second node to establish a user plane connection, the fourth node may send a third message including the first information to the first node. In some embodiments, if the fourth node allows the second node to establish a user plane connection, the fourth node may send a third message including the first information to the first node to trigger the second node to establish a user plane connection.

[0295] In some embodiments, the third message includes the second information. The second information is used to indicate that the establishment of a user plane connection by the second node is rejected. In one embodiment, when the third message includes the second information, the third message is used to indicate that the establishment of a user plane connection by the second node is rejected.

[0296] In some embodiments, the second information may also be used to indicate the reason for the fourth node's refusal to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0297] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited; for example, it may be "User plane connection refused to establish information" or "establishment request refused information".

[0298] In some embodiments, if the fourth node determines that it will refuse the second node from establishing a user plane connection, the fourth node may send a third message including the second information to the first node.

[0299] In some embodiments, the third message may further include a second identifier, which can be used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. In this case, the third message is also used to instruct the fourth node to refuse to establish a user plane connection with the second node corresponding to the second identifier. In one embodiment, the description of the second identifier in step S2106 can be found in the description of the second identifier in step S2104, and will not be repeated here.

[0300] In step S2107, the first node sends a fourth message to the second node.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first node may also send a fourth message to other entities, which in turn forward the fourth message to the second node. In one embodiment, the first node may send the fourth message to a relay node (e.g., an access network device), which in turn forwards the fourth message to the second node.

[0302] In some embodiments, the second node receives a fourth message sent by the first node, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the second node may receive a fourth message sent by the relay node.

[0303] In some embodiments, the fourth message may be used to indicate whether to allow or deny the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0304] In some embodiments, the fourth message may be a NAS message. In some embodiments, the NAS message may be any downlink NAS message, for example, a downlink NAS transport (DL NAS transport) message.

[0305] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes the first information. The first information can be used to trigger the second node to establish a user plane connection. In one embodiment, where the fourth message includes the first information, the fourth message is used to indicate that the second node is permitted to establish a user plane connection.

[0306] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes second information. The second information is used to indicate that the establishment of a user plane connection by the second node is rejected. In one embodiment, when the fourth information includes the second information, the fourth information is used to indicate that the establishment of a user plane connection by the second node is rejected. In one embodiment, the description of the first and second information in step S2107 can be found in the description of the first and second information in step S2106.

[0307] In some embodiments, the fourth message may further include a fourth identifier.

[0308] In some embodiments, the fourth identifier may be used to identify a fourth node between the first node and the second node.

[0309] In some embodiments, the fourth identifier may be a routing identifier.

[0310] In some embodiments, the fourth identifier may be obtained based on the mapping of the second identifier.

[0311] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes a fourth identifier, the fourth message may also be used to indicate whether the second node is allowed or denied to establish a user plane connection with the fourth node corresponding to the fourth identifier.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the first node receives a third message including a second identifier, the first node maps the second identifier to a fourth identifier and sends a fourth message including the fourth identifier to the second node.

[0313] In step S2108, the second node establishes a user plane connection with the fourth node.

[0314] In some embodiments, the user plane connection can be a user plane connection between a second node and a fourth node. In some embodiments, the second node can establish a user plane connection with the fourth node.

[0315] In some embodiments, when the second node receives a fourth message, and the fourth message includes the first information, the second node establishes a user plane connection with the fourth node.

[0316] In some embodiments, the second node may establish a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session between the fourth node and the second node, and the user plane connection may be carried through the PDU session.

[0317] In some embodiments, the second node establishes a TLS (Transport Layer Security) connection with the fourth node.

[0318] In some embodiments, the second node and the fourth node can perform a user plane connection binding procedure through an established TLS connection, enabling the fourth node to bind the address of the second node (e.g., IP address or FQDN) to the identifier of the second node (e.g., SUPI).

[0319] In some embodiments, the user plane connection can be an LCS secure user plane connection. In some embodiments, the second node can establish an LCS secure user plane connection between itself and the fourth node. In some embodiments, the second node can establish a PDU session between itself and the fourth node, establish a transport layer security (TLS) connection between itself and the fourth node based on the PDU session, and send a user plane connection binding request to the fourth node based on the established TLS connection to bind the TLS connection and the user plane connection, thereby obtaining the LCS secure user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node.

[0320] In some embodiments, if the second node receives the fourth message, and the fourth message includes the second information, the second node may not establish a user plane connection with the fourth node. In this case, steps S2108 to S2111 can be omitted.

[0321] In step S2109, the second node sends a fifth message to the first node.

[0322] In some embodiments, the second node may also send a fifth message to other entities, which in turn forward the fifth message to the first node. In one embodiment, the second node may send the fifth message to a relay node (e.g., an access network device), which in turn forwards the fifth message to the first node; this disclosure does not specifically limit this approach.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first node receives a fifth message sent by the second node, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the first node may receive a fifth message sent by a relay node.

[0324] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be used to indicate that the user plane connection has been established.

[0325] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a NAS message. In some embodiments, the NAS message may be any uplink NAS message, for example, an uplink NAS transport (UL NAS transport) message.

[0326] In some embodiments, the fifth message may include third information and a fourth identifier.

[0327] In some embodiments, where the fifth message includes the third information and the fourth identifier, the fifth message can be used to indicate that the user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node corresponding to the fourth identifier has been established.

[0328] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection.

[0329] In some embodiments, the name of the third message is not limited; for example, it may be a user plane connection establishment complete message.

[0330] In some embodiments, the description of the fourth identifier in step S2109 can be found in the description of the fourth identifier in step S2107, and will not be repeated here.

[0331] In some embodiments, the fifth message may include a message container and a third IE; the message container may carry third information, and the third IE may carry a fourth identifier.

[0332] In some embodiments, the message container may be a UPP-CMI container. In some embodiments, when the first message is an uplink NAS transmission message, the second information may be carried in the UPP-CMI container of the uplink NAS transmission message.

[0333] In some embodiments, the name of the third IE is not limited; for example, it could be an additional information IE.

[0334] In some embodiments, the fifth message may further include first indication information. In one embodiment, the description of the first indication information in step S2109 can be found in the description of the first indication information in step S2101, and will not be repeated here.

[0335] In some embodiments, the fifth message may include: a fourth IE; the fourth IE may carry first instruction information.

[0336] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth IE is not limited; for example, it may be the payload container information IE.

[0337] In some embodiments, once the user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node is established, the second node may send a fifth message to the first node.

[0338] In some embodiments, if the user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node fails to be established, the second node may not send a fifth message to the first node. In this case, step S2109 can be omitted.

[0339] In step S2110, the first node sends a sixth message to the fourth node.

[0340] In some embodiments, the fourth node receives a sixth message sent by the first node.

[0341] In some embodiments, the sixth message may be an N1 interface notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0342] In some embodiments, the sixth message may include third information.

[0343] In some embodiments, where the sixth message includes the third information, the sixth message can be used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection. In one embodiment, the description of the third information in step S2110 can be found in the description of the third information in step S2109, and will not be repeated here.

[0344] In some embodiments, the sixth message may also include a second identifier.

[0345] In some embodiments, if the sixth message further includes a second identifier, the sixth message can be used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection with the fourth node corresponding to the second identifier. In one embodiment, the description of the second identifier in step S2110 can be found in the description of the second identifier in step S2104, and will not be repeated here.

[0346] In some embodiments, the sixth message may further include first indication information. In one embodiment, the description of the first indication information in step S2110 can be found in the description of the first indication information in step S2101, and will not be repeated here.

[0347] In some embodiments, if the fifth message received by the first node includes first indication information, the first node may send a sixth message including the first indication information to the fourth node.

[0348] In step S2111, the fourth node sends the seventh message to the first node.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first node receives a seventh message sent by the fourth node.

[0350] In some embodiments, the seventh message may be used to indicate that the user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node has been established.

[0351] In some embodiments, the seventh message may be a user plane location configuration response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig response) message.

[0352] In some embodiments, the seventh message may include the sixth information. In some embodiments, where the seventh message includes the sixth information, the seventh message may be used to trigger the first node to store the context of the user plane connection.

[0353] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to indicate the context of the user plane connection.

[0354] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth information is not limited; for example, it may be user plane connection context or LCS-UP connection context.

[0355] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include at least one of the following: second instruction information, third instruction information.

[0356] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate the association between the user plane connection and the second node and / or the fourth node corresponding to the user plane connection.

[0357] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be a ternary information group consisting of connection identification information, fourth indication information, and fifth indication information.

[0358] In some embodiments, connection identification information may be used to identify a user plane connection. In some embodiments, connection identification information may be a user plane connection identifier.

[0359] In some embodiments, the fourth indication information can be used to uniquely identify the second node. In some embodiments, when the second node is a terminal, the fourth indication information may include at least one of the following: terminal identifier; subscription concealed identifier (SUCI); generic public subscription identifier (GPSI); subscription permanent identifier (SUPI). In some embodiments, when the second node is an access network device, the fourth indication information may be the identifier of the access network device; the cell identifier corresponding to the access network device.

[0360] In some embodiments, the fifth indication information may be used to identify the fourth node. In some embodiments, the fifth indication information may be the identifier of the fourth node or the IP address of the fourth node.

[0361] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate the status of the user plane connection. In some embodiments, the status of the user plane connection may include, but is not limited to: user plane connection established; user plane connection released.

[0362] In some embodiments, where the sixth information includes the second indication information, the sixth information may be used to indicate the user plane connection to the corresponding second and fourth nodes.

[0363] In some embodiments, where the sixth information includes the third indication information, the sixth information may be used to indicate the status of the user plane connection.

[0364] In some embodiments, the second node and the fourth node can transmit messages related to location services through a user plane connection.

[0365] In some embodiments, the second node and the fourth node can transmit messages related to sensing services through a user plane connection.

[0366] In some embodiments, the second node and the fourth node can transmit AI-related messages through a user plane connection.

[0367] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0368] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0369] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2111. For example, steps S2101 to S2102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2101 to S2103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2101 to S2105 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2101 to S2107 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0370] In some embodiments, steps S2103 to S2111 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0371] In some embodiments, steps S2104 to S2111 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0372] In some embodiments, steps S2106 to S2111 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0373] In some embodiments, steps S2108 to S2111 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0374] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0375] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0376] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes steps S3101 and S3102.

[0377] In step S3101, the second node sends a first message to the first node.

[0378] In some embodiments, the first node receives a first message sent by the second node.

[0379] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first message may include first instruction information and a first identifier.

[0381] In some embodiments, where the first message includes a first indication and a first identifier, the first message can also be used to trigger the first node to verify whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0382] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the first message is related to the PRU.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate a third node associated with the second node.

[0384] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] In step S3102, the first node verifies whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning based on the first message.

[0386] In some embodiments, where the first message includes a first indication and a first identifier, the first node verifies whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning.

[0387] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services.

[0388] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node may determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0389] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0391] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0392] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0394] In some embodiments, when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0395] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0396] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0397] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0398] In some embodiments, when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, the first node can determine the fourth node for the second node and send a second message to the fourth node, wherein the second message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node.

[0399] In some embodiments, the first node may identify the third node identified by the first identifier as the fourth node.

[0400] In some embodiments, the first node may determine the fifth node, which was reselected for the second node, as the fourth node.

[0401] In some embodiments, the second message includes a first instruction message and a second identifier.

[0402] In some embodiments, the second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0403] In some embodiments, the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0404] In some embodiments, where the second message includes a first indication and a second identifier, the second message is also used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0405] In some embodiments, when the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, the second identifier is obtained based on the mapping of the first identifier.

[0406] In some embodiments, where the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0407] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3102 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0408] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of an interaction of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes steps S3201 and S3205.

[0409] In step S3201, the second node sends a first message to the first node.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first node receives a first message sent by the second node.

[0411] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first message may include first instruction information and a first identifier.

[0413] In some embodiments, where the first message includes a first indication and a first identifier, the first message can also be used to trigger the first node to verify whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0414] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the first message is related to the PRU.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first identifier is used to indicate a third node associated with the second node.

[0416] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3201 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] In step S3202, the first node verifies whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning based on the first message.

[0418] In some embodiments, where the first message includes a first indication and a first identifier, the first node verifies whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning.

[0419] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services.

[0420] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node may determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0421] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0422] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0423] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0424] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0425] In some embodiments, the first node can verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0426] In some embodiments, when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is authorized as a PRU, the first node can determine that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0427] In some embodiments, if the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0428] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services, and the second node is authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0429] In some embodiments, if the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services and is not authorized as a PRU, the first node may determine that the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0430] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3202 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0431] In step S3203, the first node determines the fourth node.

[0432] In some embodiments, the first node determines the fourth node when the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

[0433] In some embodiments, the first node may identify the third node identified by the first identifier as the fourth node.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first node may determine the fifth node, which was reselected for the second node, as the fourth node.

[0435] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3203 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0436] In step S3204, the first node sends a second message to the fourth node.

[0437] In some embodiments, the fourth node receives a second message sent by the first node.

[0438] In some embodiments, the second message includes a first instruction message and a second identifier.

[0439] In some embodiments, where the second message includes a first indication and a second identifier, the second message is also used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0440] In some embodiments, the second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0441] In some embodiments, the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0442] In some embodiments, when the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, the second identifier is obtained based on the mapping of the first identifier.

[0443] In some embodiments, where the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0444] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3204 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2104 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0445] In step S3205, the fourth node determines whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node based on the second message.

[0446] In some embodiments, when the second message includes a first instruction and a second identifier, the fourth node determines whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0447] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S3205 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2105 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0448] To better understand the embodiments of this disclosure, the following exemplary embodiments will be used to further illustrate this disclosure.

[0449] This disclosure provides a communication method, as shown in FIG4, which is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps indicated by the dashed boxes or dashed lines in FIG4 are optional steps in the communication method. When a terminal acts as a PRU and attempts to establish a user plane connection with its serving LMF, the AMF can verify whether the terminal is authorized to perform user plane positioning / LCS-UPP. The method may include steps 1 to 11.

[0450] Step 1. The terminal sends a UL NAS transmission message to the AMF. The UL NAS transmission message includes: User plane connection establishment request, routing identifier, and PRU indication.

[0451] In preparation for an upcoming location request, the PRU decides to request the establishment of a user plane connection. The PRU can send a user plane connection establishment request, a route identifier, and a PRU instruction.

[0452] In some embodiments, the route identifier is assigned by the service LMF during the PRU association process.

[0453] In some embodiments, the PRU indicator is used to indicate that the information content of the payload container in the UL NAS transmission message is related to the PRU.

[0454] In some embodiments, the UL NAS transmission message includes: a UPI-CMI container, an Additional Information IE, and a Load Container Information IE. The UPI-CMI container carries a user plane connection establishment request, the Additional Information IE carries a routing identifier, and the Load Container Information IE carries a PRU indication.

[0455] Step 2. AMF verifies the terminal.

[0456] The AMF receives a UL NAS transport message from the terminal, which includes Additional Information (IE) and Load Capacity Information (IE). In this case, the AMF will not directly send the information content of the UPI-CMI container and the Additional Information (IE) to the LMF represented by the routing identifier.

[0457] AMF can verify whether a terminal is authorized to use the User Plane Positioning System (LCS-UPP). Furthermore, AMF can also verify whether a terminal can act as a PRU.

[0458] AMF can verify terminals based on subscription information or local policies stored in UDM.

[0459] In some embodiments, the AMF can select another LMF, which is not the terminal's serving LMF, by querying the NRF or based on local configuration.

[0460] For example, in the case of the PRU initial association process, the terminal's service LMF is pre-configured, and the AMF can select a more suitable LMF for the terminal by querying the NRF or based on local configuration.

[0461] In some embodiments, if the verification result indicates that the terminal does not support LCS-UPP for user plane positioning or does not have LCS-UPP subscription information, the AMF will reject the terminal's user plane connection establishment request.

[0462] Step 3. The AMF sends a User Plane Location Configuration Request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request) message to the LMF. This User Plane Location Configuration Request message includes relevant identifiers and PRU indications.

[0463] In some embodiments, if the AMF does not reselect an LMF for the terminal, the relevant identifier included in the user plane location configuration request message can be obtained by mapping based on the routing identifier received by the AMF. If the AMF reselects an LMF for the terminal, the relevant identifier included in the user plane location configuration request message is the relevant identifier corresponding to the reselected LMF.

[0464] In some embodiments, the user plane positioning configuration request message further includes: LCS-UPP connection establishment request indication.

[0465] Step 4. If the LMF accepts user plane positioning and no secure user plane connection is established between the terminal and the LMF, the LMF uses the N1N2 Message Transfer to send the user plane connection establishment command information to the AMF.

[0466] In some embodiments, the N1N2 message transmission message may also include a relevant identifier received by the LMF.

[0467] Step 5. When the AMF receives the user plane connection establishment command from the LMF, the AMF uses DL NAS to transmit the user plane connection establishment command to the terminal.

[0468] In some embodiments, when the N1N2 message transmission message includes a related identifier, the AMF obtains the routing identifier based on the related identifier mapping, and forwards the user plane connection establishment command and the routing identifier to the terminal through the DL NAS transmission message.

[0469] Step 6. The terminal establishes a secure LCS-UP connection with the LMF.

[0470] The terminal can execute the PDU session establishment process and establish a TLS connection with the LMF based on the established PDU session. Then, based on the TLS connection, it can execute the LCS-UP connection binding process with the LMF to establish a secure LCS-UP connection between the terminal and the LMF.

[0471] Step 7. The terminal sends a UL NAS transmission message to the AMF. This UL NAS transmission message includes user plane connection establishment completion information and the routing identifier received by the terminal in step 5.

[0472] In some embodiments, the UL NAS transmission message includes a UPI-CMI container and additional information IE. The UPI-CMI container carries user plane connection establishment completion information, and the additional information IE carries a routing identifier.

[0473] In some embodiments, UL NAS transmission messages may include PRU indications.

[0474] Step 8. The AMF obtains the relevant identifiers based on the route identifier mapping, and uses the NI interface notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message to send the user plane connection establishment completion information and the relevant identifiers to the LMF identified by the route identifier.

[0475] In some embodiments, where the UL NAS transmission message includes a PRU indication, the NI information notification message may also include a PRU indication.

[0476] Step 9. The LMF sends a User Plane Location Configuration Response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig response) message to the AMF. This User Plane Location Configuration Response message indicates that the user plane connection between the LMF and the terminal has been successfully established.

[0477] Step 10. AMF stores the context of the LCS-UP connection.

[0478] In some embodiments, the AMF can save the context of the LCS-UP connection to the context of the terminal.

[0479] Step 11. After establishing a secure user plane connection, if the LMF receives a location request from the AMF and determines to perform location based on the user plane connection, or if the terminal determines to perform location based on the user plane connection, LPP messages can be transmitted between the terminal and the LMF to implement the terminal-based location process, the terminal-assisted location process, and the transfer of auxiliary data. Supplementary service messages can also be transmitted between the terminal and the LMF through the established user plane connection.

[0480] In some embodiments, supplementary service information may include event report messages, periodically triggered call information, and MS cancellation delay location information.

[0481] In some embodiments, for the AMF, when the AMF receives a UL NAS transport message, if the load container type IE of the UL NAS transport message is set to "UPP-CMI container", and the UL NAS transport message meets one of the following conditions: the UL NAS transport message does not include an additional information IE; the UL NAS transport message includes an additional information IE and a load container information IE, and the PRU indication in the load container information IE is related to the UPP-CMI container; then the AMF should send the load container type, the information content in the load container IE, and the PRU indication in the load container information IE to the location service application.

[0482] Alternatively, if the load container type IE of the UL NAS transport message is set to "UPP-CMI container", the UL NAS transport message includes additional information IE, and the UL NAS transport message does not include a PRU indication, then the AMF will send the load container type and the information content within the load container IE to the LMF associated with the routing identifier contained in the additional information IE.

[0483] In some embodiments, the operations that the terminal can perform include, but are not limited to: the terminal sending a user plane connection establishment request message to request the establishment of a user plane connection with the terminal's serving LMF. The user plane connection establishment request message includes a routing identifier received by the terminal during the PRU association process, and a PRU indication.

[0484] In some embodiments, the operations that the AMF can perform include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the AMF receives a message carrying a UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE, and forwards the information content of the UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE to the upper layer; the AMF can verify whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane to locate LCS-UPP, and verify whether the terminal can act as a PRU.

[0485] In one embodiment, the AMF can receive messages sent by the terminal, which may include UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE.

[0486] In one embodiment, when the AMF receives a message sent by the terminal, and the message may include a UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE, the AMF may forward the information content of the UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE to the upper layer.

[0487] In some embodiments, when the AMF receives a message sent by the terminal, and the message may include a UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE, the information content of the UPP-CMI container, additional information IE, and load container information IE is forwarded to the upper layer. The upper layer of the AMF verifies whether the terminal is authorized to use the user plane to locate LCS-UPP and verifies whether the terminal can act as a PRU.

[0488] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0489] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0490] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a CPU, microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0491] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 5100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the network device 5100 may include a transceiver module 5101 and a processing module 5102. The transceiver module 5101 is configured to receive a first message sent by a second node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; the processing module 5102 is configured to verify, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2106, S2107, S2109, S2110, S2111, S3101, S3201, S3204, but not limited thereto) executed by the first node in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, S3102, S3202, S3203, but not limited thereto) executed by the first node in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0492] In some embodiments, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0493] In some embodiments, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized as a PRU.

[0494] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to perform at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0495] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to determine a fourth node for the second node; the second node is authorized to use a user plane connection; the transceiver module is further configured to send a second message to the fourth node, the second message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node; the second message includes first indication information and a second identifier, the first indication information being used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU; the second identifier being used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the second message being used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0496] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to perform one of the following: determining a third node corresponding to a first identifier as a fourth node, the first identifier being used to identify the third node between the second node and the first node; determining a fifth node reselected for the second node as the fourth node, the fifth node being associated with the second node.

[0497] In some embodiments, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

[0498] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a third message sent by the fourth node. The third message includes a second identifier and further includes one of the following: a first message for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; or a second message for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0499] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a fourth message to the second node based on the third message, the fourth message including the first information or the second information.

[0500] In some embodiments, the fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the mapping of the second identifier, and is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0501] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fifth message sent by the second node, the fifth message including a fourth identifier and third information, the third information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection; and to send a sixth message to the fourth node, the sixth message including the third information and the second identifier.

[0502] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 5200 may include a transceiver module 5201 and a processing module 5202. The transceiver module 5201 is configured to receive a second message sent by a first node, the second message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and a fourth node; the second message includes a second identifier and first indication information; the second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the first indication information is used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU; the processing module 5202 is configured to determine, based on the second message, whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2104, S2106, S2110, S2111, S3204, but not limited thereto) performed by the fourth node in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated further here. Optionally, the above processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (e.g., S2105, step S3205, but not limited thereto) executed by the fourth node in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0503] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a third message to the first node. The third message includes a second identifier and further includes one of the following: a first message for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; or a second message for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0504] In some embodiments, the second message is sent by the first node after receiving the first message from the second node and determining that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection; the first message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, which is associated with the second node; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning.

[0505] In some embodiments, the first message is also used to trigger the first node to perform at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0506] In some embodiments, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0507] In some embodiments, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized as a PRU.

[0508] In some embodiments, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node, and the fifth node is associated with the second node.

[0509] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a sixth message sent by the first node, the sixth message including third information and a second identifier, the third information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection.

[0510] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 5300 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5C, the communication device 5300 may include: a transceiver module 5301, which is configured to send a first message to a first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a PRU; the first identifier is used to indicate a third node that is associated with a PRU with the second node; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2107, S2109, S3101, S3201, but not limited thereto) performed by the second node in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the communication device 5300 may also include a processing module for performing at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2108, but not limited thereto) executed by the second node in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0511] In some embodiments, the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0512] In some embodiments, the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning, and the second node satisfies at least one of the following: the second node is not authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; the second node is not authorized as a PRU.

[0513] In some embodiments, the first message is also used to trigger the first node to perform at least one of the following: verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; verifying whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

[0514] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the first node, the fourth message including one of the following: a first message for triggering the second node to establish a user plane connection; a second message for rejecting the second node from establishing a user plane connection.

[0515] In some embodiments, the fourth message is sent by the first node based on the third message, which is sent by the fourth node after receiving the second message sent by the first node. The second message includes a request to establish a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node. The second message includes a second identifier and first indication information. The second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU. The second message is also used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish a user plane connection with the second node.

[0516] In some embodiments, the fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the mapping of the second identifier, and is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

[0517] In some embodiments, the fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node for the second node, and the fifth node is associated with the second node.

[0518] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send a fifth message to the first node, the fifth message including a fourth identifier and third information, the second information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established a user plane connection; the fifth message is also used to trigger the first node to send a sixth message to the fourth node corresponding to the fourth identifier, the sixth message including the third information and the second identifier.

[0519] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0520] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0521] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0522] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0523] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0524] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2106, S2107, S2109, S2110, S2111, S3101, S3201, S3204, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, S2105, S2108, S3102, S3202, S3203, S3205, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter, and transmitter circuit can be used interchangeably; and terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver, and receiver circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0525] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6102 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0526] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0527] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of a chip structure according to an exemplary embodiment. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0528] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0529] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0530] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S2101, S2104, S2106, S2107, S2109, S2110, S2111, S3101, S3201, S3204, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 6202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2103, S2105, S2108, S3102, S3202, S3203, S3205, but not limited thereto).

[0531] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0532] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0533] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0534] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0535] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0536] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein, Executed by the first node, the method includes: The system receives a first message sent by a second node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; Based on the first message, verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of verifying whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection based on the first message includes at least one of the following: Verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; Verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further includes: A fourth node is determined for the second node, and the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection; A second message is sent to the fourth node, the second message being used to request the establishment of the user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node; the second message includes the first indication information and the second identifier, the first indication information being used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU; the second identifier being used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node; the second message being used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish the user plane connection with the second node.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained based on the mapping of the first identifier; or... The fourth node is the fifth node reselected by the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a third message sent by the fourth node, the third message including the second identifier, and the third message further including one of the following: a first message for triggering the second node to establish the user plane connection; or a second message for rejecting the second node from establishing the user plane connection. Based on the third message, a fourth message is sent to the second node, the fourth message including either the first information or the second information.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the second identifier mapping, and is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: The second node receives a fifth message, which includes the fourth identifier and third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the second node has successfully established the user plane connection. A sixth message is sent to the fourth node, the sixth message including the third information and the second identifier.

8. A communication method, wherein, Executed by the fourth node, the method further includes: The system receives a second message sent by the first node, which requests the establishment of a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node. The second message includes a second identifier and first indication information. The second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the second message is related to a PRU. Based on the second message, determine whether to establish the user plane connection with the second node.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The method further includes: Send a third message to the first node, the third message including the second identifier, and the third message further including one of the following: The first piece of information is used to trigger the second node to establish the user plane connection. The second piece of information is used to refuse the second node from establishing the user plane connection.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The second message is sent by the first node after receiving the first message from the second node and determining that the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection; The first message is used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, which is associated with the second node; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection for positioning.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The first message is also used to trigger the first node to execute at least one of the following: Verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; Verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, The fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, The method further includes: The second node receives a sixth message sent by the first node. The sixth message includes the second identifier and third information, and the third information is used to indicate that the second node has successfully established the user plane connection.

14. A communication method, wherein, Executed by the second node, the method includes: A first message is sent to the first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a PRU; the first identifier is used to indicate a third node that is associated with the second node through the PRU; the first message is also used to trigger the first node to verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The first message is also used to trigger the first node to execute at least one of the following: Verify whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection to perform location-related services; Verify whether the second node is authorized as a PRU.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The method further includes: Receive a fourth message sent by the first node, the fourth message including one of the following: The first piece of information is used to trigger the second node to establish the user plane connection. The second piece of information is used to refuse the second node from establishing the user plane connection.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The fourth message is sent by the first node based on the third message, which is sent by the fourth node after receiving the second message sent by the first node. The second message includes a request to establish a user plane connection between the second node and the fourth node. The second message includes a second identifier and first indication information. The second identifier is used to identify the second node between the first node and the fourth node. The first indication information is used to indicate that the second message is related to the PRU. The second message is also used to trigger the fourth node to determine whether to establish the user plane connection with the second node.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The fourth message further includes: a fourth identifier, which is obtained based on the second identifier mapping, and is used to identify the fourth node between the second node and the first node; the second identifier is also used to identify the fourth node between the first node and the fourth node.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, The fourth node is the third node corresponding to the first identifier, and the second identifier is obtained by mapping based on the first identifier; or, the fourth node is the fifth node reselected from the first node, and the second identifier is determined based on the third identifier, which is used to identify the fifth node.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein, The method further includes: A fifth message is sent to the first node, the fifth message including the fourth identifier and the third information, the second information being used to indicate that the second node has successfully established the user plane connection; the fifth message is also used to trigger the first node to send a sixth message to the fourth node corresponding to the fourth identifier, the sixth message including the second identifier and the third information.

21. A communication method, wherein, Performed by a communication system, the method includes: The second node sends a first message to the first node, the first message being used to request the establishment of a user plane connection; the first message includes: first indication information and a first identifier; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is related to a positioning reference unit (PRU); the first identifier is used to indicate a third node, the third node being associated with the second node; The first node verifies, based on the first message, whether the second node is authorized to use the user plane connection.

22. A communication device, wherein, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 8 to 13, and 14 to 20.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first node, a second node, and a fourth node, wherein the first node is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, the fourth node is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 8 to 13, and the second node is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

24. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, 8 to 13, and 14 to 20.

25. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by the communication device, it implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 8 to 13, and 14 to 20.

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